Abstract
[...]. With his academic background in mathematics and sociology, Galtung was not only an exceptionally creative theorist but also actively applied his ideas in practice. This is evident in his successful interventions that helped facilitate negotiations between states that had been stalled for years. I had the privilege of getting to know Johan quite well during his time at Cesare Alfieri when he accepted my invitation to attend a series of meetings focused on Peace Research. I published The Nature and Orientations of Peace Research in 1978, to which Norberto Bobbio contributed, and I was eager to hear Johan’s perspective. What stood out was the enthusiasm he conveyed to his audience, even when, at times, he spoke in a language other than his own - Italian, to be precise. The manner of his teaching revealed a genuine missionary spirit. [...]